Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-07-02

mf06GIRaNcn ~ cecaSne Gear that the WaSof1
had been looted of the provisions and goods
with which it was loaded and the oxen driven
of. Nor was this the only evidence Of VIC
lence. Across the disselboom of the wagon,
the hands still clasping a long bamboo whip,
as though he had been trying to defend him
self with it, lay the dead body of the native
driver. His face, John noticed, was so COM
posed and peaceful that, had it not been for
the attitude and a neat little blue hole in the
forehead, you might have thought he was
asleep and not dead.
At sunset John outspanned his now flag
ging horses by the roadside, and gave them
each a couple of bundles of forage from the
store that he had brought with him. While
they were eating it, leaving Mouti to keep
an eye to them, he went some way of and
sat down on a big ant heap to think. It was
Q wild and melancholy scene that stretched
away before and behind him. Miles upon
miles OF plain, rolling east and west and north
and south, like the pillows Of a frozen sea,
only broken, far along tho Heidelberg road,
BY some hills, known as Roof Koppies.
Nor was this all. Overhead was blazing
and burning one Of those remarkable
sunsets which n sometimes secs in
summer in Africa. The sky was full of lower
Ing clouds, and the sullen orb of the setting
sun had stained them perfectly blood red.
Blood red they noated through the ominous
sky, and blood red their shadows lay upon the
grass. Even the air seemed red. It looked
as though earth and heaven had been STEPPED
in blood: and fresh as John was from the
sight of the dead driver, his ears yet tingling
with the tale Of Rronker's Spruit, it Is not to
be wondered at that the suggestive sight op-
pressed him seated In that lonely waste, with
no company except that melancholy "kakara-
kakara" Of an old black koran hidden away
somewhere in the grass. He was not much
given to that sort Of thing, but he did begin
to wonder whether this was the last journey
OF all the many he had made during the past
twenty years, and IL a Boer bullet was about
to solve the mystery Of life and death for
him.
By the time that the horses had done their
forage and Mouti had forced the bits into
their reluctant mouths, the angry splendor of
the sunset had faded, and the quiet night was
falling over the glowing veldt like a pail on
one scarce dead. There was, fortunately for
the travellers, a bright half moon, and by its
light John managed to direct the cart over
many q weary mile. On he went for hour
after hour, keeping his tired horses to the col
lar as best he could, till at last, about IL
o'clock, he saw the lights of Heidelberg be-
fore him, and knew that the question of
whether or not his journey was at an end
would speedily be decided for him. However.
there was nothing for it but to 90 on and take
his chance of slipping through. Presently be
crossed a little stream, and made out the
shape Of a cart just ahead, around which men
and a couple of lanterns were moving. No
doubt, he thought to himself, it was tho
bishop, who had been stopped by the Beers.
He was quite close to the cart when it moved
on, and in another second he was greeted by
the rough challenge Of a sentry, and caught
sight of the cold CLEAN OF a rifle barrel.
"Wie da" who's thcreD
"Friendw he answered, cheerfully, though
feeling far from cheerful.
There was q pause, during which tho sentry
called to another man, who came up yawn-
ing. and saying something in Dutch. Strain
ing his ears he caught the words, Bishops
man" and this gave him an idea.
"Who are you, Englishman" asked tho
second man, grufly, holding up q lantern to
look at John, and speaking in English.
II am the bishops chaplain, sir" he an
swered, mildly, trying desperately to look
like an unofending clergyman, "and I want
to get on to Pretoria with him"
The man with the lantern inspected him
closely. Fortunately be had on o dark coat
and o clerical looking black felt hat; the same
that Frank Muller had put q bullet through.
HE Is a preacher fast enough" said the ono
man to the other. "Look, he is dressed like
an old crow! What did 'Om' Kruger's pass
say, Jan! Was it two carts or one that we
were to let through9 / think that it was
one."
The other man scratched his head.
II think it was two" he said. He did not
like to confess to his comrade that he could
not read. mo, l I'M sure that it was two"
perhaps we had better send up to ON
Kruger and ask" suggested the first man.
"Om Kruger will be in bed, and he puts up
his quilts like a porcupine If one wakes him."
was the answer.
"Then let US keep the id preaching Eng
lishman till tomorrow"
"Pray let me go on, gentlemen, " said John,
still in his mildest voice. II am wanted to
preach the word at Pretoria, and TO watch
by the wounded and dying"